International Shia conference slams Pakistan over terrorism

Lucknow, May 7 (UNI) An international conference of Shia religious leaders today slammed Pakistan for ''murdering Shias'' in their territory, including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The conference by Shia religious gurus also criticised Taliban and al Qaida for killing innocents in Iraq and Afghanistan.

All-India Shia Hussaini Fund had organised the third Ahl-e-Bait conference in the Uttar Pradesh capital, which it claimed was attended by Shia leaders from across the globe.

In a variety of resolutions passed today, the conference also asked the Pakistan government to control terrorism as ''the brunt of terror acts there is borne by the Shias.'' The conference also passed a resolution against terrorism as ''terrorism has no relationship with Islam and its teachings.'' The religious leaders also demanded reconstruction of 'samadhis' of the direct descendents of Hazrat Mohd Sahib in Saudi Arabia, which were damaged a few years ago.

The arrest of the attackers of Samarah -- the holy site of Shias in Iraq -- was also demanded. ''Three months have passed, but no arrests so far have been made.'' In India too, there are several issues including teaching of Arabic culture where the biographies of Hazrat Mohd and his family members are not taught,'' another resolution added.

To a poser, Maulana Abbas of Hussaini Fund said imposing personal beliefs also amounted to terrorism. ''Terrorism does not necessarily mean killing innocents and brandishing weapons.'' The original descendants of Mohd Sahib are known as Ahl-e-Bait.

This is the third such conference, which was presided by Maulana Mirza Muhammed Athar.

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